Healthy Summer Habbits

Total Outfit: Tom Tailor by Shop And Trade

1. Remember your vitamin D.

If you’re being diligent with the sunscreen you might not be getting quite as much D as you think. Our bodies produce vitamin D from the sun’s UV rays. But sunscreen blocks UV absorption, and therefore prevents the production of vitamin D. Focus on getting your fill through food sources instead, like egg yolks and fatty fish like salmon, tuna, or sardines.

2. Snack on homemade pickles for something crunchy.

Instead of getting your crunch fix from a bag of potato chips or paying an arm and a leg for a jar of artisanal pickles, make your own on the cheap with cucumbers from the farmer’s market.

Fill a large jar with equal parts water and vinegar, along with a healthy pinch of salt, whole peppercorns, garlic cloves, and fresh dill. Add as many sliced cukes as will fit and marinate in the fridge for one to two days before eating. They’re a flavorful, low-calorie snack. And yes, they count as a serving of veggies!

3. Guzzle a glass of ice water before meals.

It’s an easy rule to help you stay hydrated, sure. But that’s not all. Drinking water before a meal could help you eat fewer calories, making it easier to keep your weight in check. As an added bonus? The icy cold water might give your metabolism a slight boost. Skip the sodas and add fresh lemons and cucumbers to your water so you get a little more excited about drinking it.

4. Eat your sunscreen.

There's a reason watermelon is the fruit of the summer. Yes, because nothing tastes better than a slice of the pink melon on a hot day, but it's also rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that can help protect your skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays, says registered dietitian Amy Goodson. It’s no substitute for sunscreen—but every little bit helps, right?

5. Drink pomegranate juice after a sweat session.

Outdoor summer workouts mean extra sweat, which can throw your electrolyte levels out of whack and leave you dehydrated. But pomegranate juice is loaded with potassium, an electrolyte mineral that can help you rehydrate and encourage your muscles to recover faster.

6. Don't forget to hydrate during happy hour.

The combo of alcohol and tons of sugar means that summer happy-hour favorites like frosé and margaritas leave you bloated and dehydrated. (Not a fun combo when it’s hot and sticky outside.) Swap them for lower sugar drinks like plain rosé, gin and club soda, or a Paloma, Savage recommends. And have a glass of water withyour drink instead of in-between drinks.